285 ELD-M vs cow elk

[Idaho Trecker]

Since I moved to my house last winter it has opened up so many opportunities for shooting and hunting!!! This is an early season general tag that is basically a depredation hunt and since they are a couple miles from the house I couldnt resist filling the freezer.
I found this herd of elk in the morning but by the time I confirmed ownership and that I did have permission for the land it was already pushing 90 degrees out so I decided to wait for evening. When I crested the hill in the evening the herd of 20 had become 48 and they were all bedded in the garbanzo field. I took the 338 Edge out this time so I could really hammer down with the 285 ELD-M at 2930 fps and it delivered at 682 yards. The cow was standing broadside and my first shot landed slightly further back from where I wanted.A follow up was sent behind the last rib and up through the chest cavity since she was now heavily quartering away from me and she dropped at this shot.
Upon skinning I was able to find the bullet under the offside under the hide from the broadside shot and it was perfectly mushroomed like the other A-Max and ELD-M I have taken game with. This bullet weighed 146 grains still. Unfortunately the second bullet was not recovered since I didnt gut her.
Just wanted to share some more results with the ELD-M

 

[elkaholic]

Since I moved to my house last winter it has opened up so many opportunities for shooting and hunting!!! This is an early season general tag that is basically a depredation hunt and since they are a couple miles from the house I couldnt resist filling the freezer.
I found this herd of elk in the morning but by the time I confirmed ownership and that I did have permission for the land it was already pushing 90 degrees out so I decided to wait for evening. When I crested the hill in the evening the herd of 20 had become 48 and they were all bedded in the garbanzo field. I took the 338 Edge out this time so I could really hammer down with the 285 ELD-M at 2930 fps and it delivered at 682 yards. The cow was standing broadside and my first shot landed slightly further back from where I wanted.A follow up was sent behind the last rib and up through the chest cavity since she was now heavily quartering away from me and she dropped at this shot.
Upon skinning I was able to find the bullet under the offside under the hide from the broadside shot and it was perfectly mushroomed like the other A-Max and ELD-M I have taken game with. This bullet weighed 146 grains still. Unfortunately the second bullet was not recovered since I didnt gut her.
Just wanted to share some more results with the ELD-M
View attachment 78791 View attachment 78792 View attachment 78793

Good job Ryan! Looks like nice performance with that ELDM......Rich

 

[BEEMAN]

Good job Ryan! Looks like nice performance with that ELDM......Rich

Very nice bullet performance. Please post more results if you take anymore game with the 285 ELD-M. I am putting a EDGE together this winter and want to shoot the 285's.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I took a small doe whitetail last fall with the 285 eld m and worked great. She was only 570 yards and as expected being such a narrow animal no bullet was recovered but she dropped.

 

[SHRTSHTR]

Used the 285 ELD M's last year. 3 Whitetai ranging from 250 yards to 500 yards. 1 cow Elk over 600 yards and 1 Antelope over 700 yards.
Only needed 1 shot per animal and everyone went straight down.
Pretty happy with this bullet so far.

Ray

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I was wondering if you were going to chime in Ray since I heard you used them last year with great success. Glad to hear others are having good luck also.

 

[calib]

I have about 200 of those bullets that I'm wanting to load up in my new 338 I'm hoping to hit a cow this season maybe a deer if I get some time off of work. I am also in Idaho.

 

[SHRTSHTR]

I was wondering if you were going to chime in Ray since I heard you used them last year with great success. Glad to hear others are having good luck also.

I am actually pretty excited about the ELD M line of bullets. Doing load development with 147g ELD's now. Looking very promising so far. BC's seem to be right on the money and load development is easy.

My daughter has a Elk hunt in October that we have been putting in for 19 years. She will be shooting my 6.5 SS on this once in a lifetime hunt. I will of course have one of my 338's standing by but do not think it will be needed.

Ray

 

[elkaholic]

She will probably show you up with that SS

 

[SHRTSHTR]

She will probably show you up with that SS

You don't know how right you are!
Her 1st longrange kill was 675 yards on a 5X6 mulie with my 338lai. She can shoot but she has not seen this 6.5ss. she will consider it hers once she shoots it!

Ray

 

[ATH]

Thanks for posting. Not a lot of field reports yet, so thanks for posting. I'm committed to this bullet for my Edge and these reports give me confidence as I chase wapiti this fall.

 

[Canhunter35]

I am actually pretty excited about the ELD M line of bullets. Doing load development with 147g ELD's now. Looking very promising so far. BC's seem to be right on the money and load development is easy.

Ray

I'm curious why you chose the 147 eld over the 143 eldx? Are you that confident in the 147 performance on an elk that you chose it?

Just wondering, I've used the 168 amax on deer and antelope but would be hesitant to use it on bigger game and would opt for an eldx bullet over the 'm'.

I'm curious is all, I maybe should rethink my choice of bullets for my 6.5

 

[SHRTSHTR]

I'm curious why you chose the 147 eld over the 143 eldx? Are you that confident in the 147 performance on an elk that you chose it?

Just wondering, I've used the 168 amax on deer and antelope but would be hesitant to use it on bigger game and would opt for an eldx bullet over the 'm'.

I'm curious is all, I maybe should rethink my choice of bullets for my 6.5

I have a ton of143 eldX bullets sitting here and I like them. Doing load development now with 147's.
The 147's have a wicked BC and I personally think it will hold up a bit better on Elk at closer ranges with right shot placement.

The eldm's are absolutely devastating in my 338 improved rifles. I know we're talking two totally different calibers here.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

The 147 do have a huge bc and I also love the eld m/a max but have only used the 208 and 285 so far for game so can't speak to smaller calibers with them. I hope to slay a mule deer with the 225s this fall. I'm working up a load now with the 143 eld x for a friend in his 6.5 creedmoor but will probably be playing with the 140 or 147 for my wife's creedmoor.